Yankees Part With Another Coach After Disappointing 2021 MLB Campaign

The New York Yankees
The New York Yankees in 2017. Photo by Canadian Press/REX/Shutterstock (8990254e)

The New York Yankees didn’t hold the disappointing 2021 MLB campaign against manager Aaron Boone, rewarding him recently with a new long-term deal. But the same can’t be said for the team’s coaches. 

The Yankees continued to overhaul Boone’s coaching staff this week, announcing that the first-base coach Reggie Willits won’t return for the 2022 MLB season. Willits, who also served as outfield instructor, is ending his four-season stint with the franchise to take a volunteer role with Oklahoma University’s college baseball program.

“I’ve cherished my time with the Yankees, and I’ve grown professionally and personally because of the bonds that have I’ve formed with so many players, coaches and staff,” said Willits in a statement shared with Sports Illustrated.

Before Willits, the Yankees also said goodbye to three other coaches on Boone’s staff. Third base coach Phil Nevin, hitting coach Marcus Thames and assistant hitting coach P.J. Pilittere all left the franchise after seeing their contract run out and failing to receive a new one.

The Yankees finished the regular part of the season 3rd in AL East but still managed to get through to the playoffs thanks to a 92-70 record. They then faced the Boston Red Sox in the AL Wild-Card game, where they suffered a humbling 2-6 loss that ended their postseason earlier than expected.

Gunner's favorite movies are Pulp Fiction, Iron Man (just the first one), and every James Bond film ever made. He's learning TV and cinema and hoping to always enjoy movies as he does now.